EP2C20F256I8 - Cyclone II FPGA 18,752 LE, 256-BGA | Altera
MPN: EP2C20F256I8 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $24.2449 | $24.24 |
| 10 | $22.52 | $225.20 |
| 100 | $20.01 | $2,001.00 |
| 500 | $17.83 | $8,915.00 |
| 1,000 | $16.42 | $16,420.00 |
EP2C20F256I8 Overview
An FPGA is an integrated circuit whose logic fabric is configured after manufacturing by loading a configuration bitstream. Instead of executing sequential software, it creates parallel hardware datapaths: designers write HDL, synthesize logic into logic elements, routing and I/O blocks, and configure the device in-system. Cyclone II FPGAs are SRAM-based, so they are volatile and need to reload their bitstream at power-up from flash, a host processor, or an Altera configuration device. In product hierarchy, this part is an FPGA -> SRAM-based FPGA -> mid-range Cyclone II -> Altera programmable logic family.
Headline features include 18,752 logic elements, 239,616 RAM bits, and 152 user I/O pins. The 1.2 V core logic family is CMOS, and the 256-ball BGA has a moderate footprint that suits parallel bus designs and controlled-impedance board layouts. The industrial-temperature suffix widens the allowable ambient operating range compared with commercial C-grade siblings. The device supports JTAG and active/passive serial configuration modes, allowing flexible factory programming and in-field updates.
Architecturally, Cyclone II places logic in logic array blocks together with embedded memory blocks, and connects the fabric through programmable routing to I/O banks. The 90 nm low-cost process balances density, power, and unit price for cost-sensitive systems. Since Cyclone II is SRAM-based, the non-volatile configuration solution must be selected early; typical choices include an EPC-series configuration device or a host microcontroller that loads the .rbf/.pof image at power-on.
Typical applications include industrial control and motor-drive interfaces, communication bridging, video/image preprocessing, test instrumentation, and IoT edge gateways. The 152 I/O pins give designers enough flexibility to connect memories, ADCs, DACs, transceivers, and human-machine-interface peripherals. The 239,616 RAM bits are useful for FIFOs, small line buffers, and coefficient tables, reducing the need for external SRAM in moderate-size designs.
Designers should decouple the 1.2 V core rail thoroughly and follow Altera Cyclone II board-layout guidance for the F256 BGA. Because exact current and thermal figures were not included in the fetched distributor data, use the official Cyclone II power calculator and the device handbook to size regulators and heatsinking before production.
This page adds distributor context, ordering-code alternatives, and practical design guidance beyond the bare datasheet, helping engineers complete sourcing and design triage more quickly.
Drop-in alternatives for EP2C20F256I8 — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with EP2C20F256I8 (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Process Technology, Total RAM Bits, Speed Grade, Embedded Multipliers (18x18).
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
EP2C20F256I8N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$43.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C20F256C8N
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$20.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C20F256C8
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$24.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C20F256C7N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$38.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C20F256C6N
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ 参数待验证✓ In Stock
$41.5 / Unit
View Datasheet →EP2C20F256I8 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| FPGA Family | Cyclone II |
| Number of Logic Elements | 18752 LE |
| Total RAM Bits | 239616 bits |
| Number of User I/O | 152 |
| Package Type | 256-LBGA (FBGA-256) |
| Number of Pins | 256 |
| Core Supply Voltage | 1.2 V |
| Logic Family | CMOS |
| Process Technology | 90 nm CMOS |
| Speed Grade | 8 |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial (I) |
| Configuration Memory | SRAM-based |
| Mounting Style | Surface Mount |
| Terminal Form | BALL |
EP2C20F256I8 256-lbga (fbga-256) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for EP2C20F256I8 (256-lbga (fbga-256) package). This digital IC includes GPIO, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and power pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for alternate pin functions and configuration options. Essential for embedded system design and PCB layout.
No detailed pinout data available for EP2C20F256I8.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
EP2C20F256I8 is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Automation and Motor Control, Communication and Protocol Bridging, Video and Image Preprocessing, Test and Measurement Instrumentation, IoT and Edge Gateway Logic, Robotics and Motion Control.
Industrial Automation and Motor Control
The EP2C20F256I8 fits industrial automation because its industrial-temperature suffix is intended for factory-floor and outdoor-unconditioned equipment. Its 18,752 logic elements can implement encoder decoding, PWM generation, cascaded PID loops, and fieldbus bridging, while 239,616 RAM bits provide small queue and coefficient storage. The 152 user I/O pins connect to position sensors, current-sense ADCs, gate-driver inputs, and isolated UART/RS-485 transceivers. In motor-drive applications the FPGA is often placed between a host MCU and power-stage gate drivers, performing real-time commutation and fault handling in parallel hardware. If the final system must operate above or below the commercial temperature envelope, this industrial part provides a useful ordering-code margin for the programmable logic itself. The FPGA should be powered from a clean 1.2 V rail and configured from a non-volatile memory at every power-up.
Recommended
Communication and Protocol Bridging
EP2C20F256I8 is well suited for communication bridging because its parallel fabric can simultaneously handle multiple serial protocols and data reformatting engines. The 18,752 logic elements are sufficient for UART-to-SPI, Ethernet framing assist, CAN message handling, or custom packet parsing, while 239,616 RAM bits provide FIFO and descriptor buffering between clock domains. The 152 user I/O support connections to PHYs, line transceivers, LVDS-style links, and memory interfaces. In a typical industrial gateway, the FPGA exchanges data with a host processor, performs protocol translation, and drives isolated fieldbus transceivers. Because the device is SRAM-based, a supervisor or external CPLD should sequence the configuration load and hold reset until the FPGA is operational. The industrial-temperature grade adds robustness for communications equipment in plant-floor or roadside cabinets.
Recommended
Video and Image Preprocessing
The EP2C20F256I8 supports video and image preprocessing because 239,616 RAM bits can implement line buffers and small frame stores, while the programmable logic performs pixel-level operations in parallel. Designers can synthesize Bayer-to-RGB conversion, color space correction, thresholding, edge detection, or simple convolution kernels inside the FPGA fabric. The 152 user I/O pins connect to CMOS image sensors, display drivers, and DDR/SDRAM controller chips when larger image storage is required. Because the industrial I8 variant is intended for harsher environments, it is suitable for outdoor surveillance cameras, machine-vision equipment, and kiosk displays. For high-resolution or high-frame-rate processing, confirm that the speed grade 8 timing model meets the pixel clock requirement; a faster grade such as 6 or 7 may be selected for more demanding systems.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
In test and measurement equipment, the EP2C20F256I8 can act as a flexible data-acquisition and sequencing engine. Its 152 user I/O pins connect to high-speed ADCs, DACs, comparators, and digital control buses, while the FPGA fabric implements timing generators, trigger logic, decimation filters, and data formatting without loading a host CPU. The 18,752 logic elements allow several acquisition channels and a small embedded state machine to run concurrently. The 239,616 RAM bits provide acquisition FIFOs and calibration tables. The industrial-temperature suffix is valuable for benchtop and rack instruments that may be operated in warm environments. Because measurement applications often require repeatable start-up, use the active or passive serial configuration mode with a dedicated configuration device to ensure the FPGA loads deterministic firmware before measurement begins.
Recommended
IoT and Edge Gateway Logic
The EP2C20F256I8 is useful in IoT and edge gateways for offloading deterministic I/O, sensor aggregation, and protocol framing from the main applications processor. Its compact 256-FBGA package and industrial-temperature ordering option make it practical for DIN-rail gateways, remote terminal units, and outdoor edge computers. The 18,752 logic elements can implement multiple UARTs, SPI controllers, I2C bridges, and simple Ethernet packet processing; the 239,616 RAM bits provide small packet buffers. The 152 I/O pins can connect to sensors, memory, and wireless module parallel interfaces. Since an FPGA introduces a separate firmware image, the gateway software must manage the configuration file, versioning, and fail-safe update procedure. The 1.2 V core should be supplied from a dedicated regulator with adequate decoupling for reliable field operation.
Recommended
Robotics and Motion Control
The EP2C20F256I8 is a solid fit for robotics and motion control because its programmable hardware can execute multiple joint-control loops, safety interlocks, and communication protocols in parallel. With 18,752 logic elements, a designer can implement step/direction generation, quadrature encoder decoding, torque loop math, and trajectory profile logic in the same FPGA. The 239,616 RAM bits provide lookup tables and command queues for smooth motion profiles. The 152 user I/O connect to servo drive interfaces, brake circuits, and feedback sensors. The industrial-temperature I8 ordering code is important in robot cabinets and moving machinery where ambient temperature can rise well above normal indoor levels. In deployment, ensure the FPGA configuration is reloaded after each power cycle and that safety-critical faults are handled by hardware logic independent of software.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for EP2C20F256I8 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | EP2C20F256I8N | EP2C20F256C8N | EP2C20F256C8 | EP2C20F256C7N | EP2C20F256C6N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 256-LBGA (FBGA-256) | 256-LBGA (FBGA-256) | 256-LBGA (FBGA-256) | 256-LBGA (FBGA-256) | 256-LBGA (FBGA-256) | 256-LBGA (FBGA-256) |
| Brand | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera | Altera |
| Number of Logic Elements | 18752 LE | 18752 LE | 18752 LE | 18752 LE | 18752 LE | 18752 LE |
| Total RAM Bits | 239616 bits | 239616 bits | 239616 bits | 239616 bits | 239616 bits | 239616 bits |
| Number of User I/O | 152 | 152 | 152 | 152 | 152 | 152 |
| Core Supply Voltage | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V | 1.2 V |
| Speed Grade | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial (I) | Industrial (I) | Commercial (C) | Commercial (C) | Commercial (C) | Commercial (C) |
Key Differentiators
- Industrial-temperature ordering code in the same 256-FBGA package (vs EP2C20F256C8N)
- Speed grade 8 is available in an industrial-temp ordering option (vs EP2C20F256C7N and EP2C20F256C6N)
- Direct lead-free sibling exists without changing electrical function (vs EP2C20F256I8N)
Design Notes
EP2C20F256I8 uses a 1.2 V core supply. Use a dedicated low-noise regulator sized after reading the Cyclone II power calculator, and place 0.1 uF ceramic capacitors near every core supply pin with additional bulk capacitance on the power plane. Separate I/O bank supplies should be filtered and matched to the interface voltage standards. FPGAs draw configuration and dynamic current in bursts, so the power supply must maintain regulation during configuration startup. Follow the Cyclone II device handbook guidance for decoupling and power sequencing.
The 256-ball FBGA package requires careful fanout: route core and I/O supply balls to an internal power plane through short vias, and place decoupling capacitors on the opposite side of the BGA when possible. Maintain the differential or single-ended trace impedance required by the connected interfaces. A typical 4-layer or 6-layer stack is advisable for this pin count. Reference the Cyclone II pin tables and board-layout guidelines in the manufacturer handbook for exact pin assignments and recommended via patterns.
Cyclone II is SRAM-based and loses its configuration when power is removed. Do not assume the FPGA is ready immediately after power-up; hold downstream logic in reset until the configuration device has loaded the bitstream. If firmware must be updated in the field, verify the remote update controller and configuration device connection early in the design. Also remember that an industrial-temperature FPGA does not make the whole board industrial-grade; check surrounding components and power supply temperature ratings.
Compliance Information
Fetched data did not explicitly state RoHS, REACH, AEC-Q100, lead-free, halogen-free, or conflict minerals status. Altera/Intel parts with an N suffix typically denote a lead-free finish; EP2C20F256I8 has no N suffix, so verify compliance markings and datasheet status before assembly.
